Sacramento Wildlife Refuge

How can anyone find any piece and quiet around here?

Well, this couple of Northern Pintails did, that is until we came along.

He popped up his head and she discreetly opened an eye.

They looked us over for a brief moment...

...and moved on for an even more private place.

For more bird photos check out World Bird Wednesday

Seen Better Days

I think this old barn isn't good for much more than to look at and take pictures of.

I found this one in Scipio, Utah. Yes, a couple previous blog entries are from that town.

If you are ever on Highway 50 in Utah, this very little town will provide you with a lot of photographic opportunites. You can click here and here to see the other posts. I have several more yet to do from Scipio Utah.

Inside the roof made for an interesting pattern.

Changing it to black and white made it even more so.

Is there anyone who does not like old weathered wood?

Check Bluff Area Daily for more barn photos on

Fantasia

Whenever I see mushrooms like this I think of Walt Disney's Fantasia.

I didn't use my Nikon with it's fancy new ($$) macro lens for this photo. Instead I used my little Canon point and click set on the macro setting. I think that will qualify for Lisa's

Home From the Holiday

There wasn't much Thanksgiving traffic,

we sat around and visited a lot with family,

and there was a lot of good food to eat.

Now back home, time to regroup and rest.

Holiday Post

I will be away for a few days as the family is gathering at my daughter's home a 3 hour drive away for the holiday. No turkey. We are having a big seafood cioppino meal instead. Save the turkeys!

So as no posts for a few days, I'll overload you for today.

Lots of fall color tree photos of late on blogs, so here in the wine country we have the vineyards displaying their colors.

How many birds can powerlines support?

While taking the above photos and those for the "Under the Highway" post a couple days ago I could hear something going on over at Infineon Raceway and went to check it out. It turned out to be a practice/test session. I was able to get in for free and was the only spectator there. Lucky me!

That is the upper end of San Francisco Bay in the distance.

It is a beautiful venue where world class motorsport events are held.

Some of the cars testing which I really should know more about than I do.

I did learn that even just one car is very loud. I cannot imagine the noise of race. Earplugs a must I'm sure.

Meanwhile,

...while I am away Occupy Santa Rosa will picket Santa Rosa’s downtown mall on “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving that’s traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. It’s part of Occupy’s anti-corporate message. The “Buy Nothing Day” demonstration will be followed by a community festival at City Hall with music, crafts and a free gift exchange.
And I will miss all the fun. I'm kinda bummed about this.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you here in the States and to the rest of you worldwide,

be thankful you will not be overstuffed and miserable on Thursday November 24.

Farmers Market

I stopped in at the Farmers Market this weekend for some more photo opportunities. Nope, I didn't buy anything as my wife was not along. She selects the groceries. I just eat them. We live in Sonoma County, northern California and are fortunate to have a long growing season. Thus there was a cornucopia of produce, flowers and such and we all know what that looks like, so I focused on the other items instead.

This is my first attempt to get an overall scene shot and this little girl wasn't about to move. She really wanted her picture taken. I obliged then got the above shot later on the next aisle over.

Custom made chicken coops for those who want the very best for their chickens.

Easy access to the eggs.

The prices. The man's face lit up when I said I was going to put this on my blog.

It was a grandfather and grandson operation and the grandson looked to be in his 50's.

Maybe grandpa made these baseball bat hat racks.

Next to grandpa and grandson, was another enterprising wood worker.

Interested in a custom rustic gardener's potting station, or a carry box for your garden tools?

I see registration tags are due for the one above.

Now I made a real nice set of Adirondack chairs awhile back. Still have them. But this guy took the design to a whole other level and I was impressed. Made from oak wine barrel stays.

Okay, here is a food shot. You name it and I think they had it in seafood.

And we had some music for your shopping pleasure.

I really couldn't see how the metal bucket could tip so easily but I stayed clear anyway.

Better Than Television

After about a half an hour Sinbad got bored watching the turkeys on PBS's NATURE  so he then moved over to watch the fish tank for awhile.

He really does watch Nature. Any other TV program he ignores. You should of seen him when I watched the episode about cats a few years ago. Nose to the screen. I thought he would ruin his eyes.

Then he put his paw to the glass. It was too cute.

Taken with my Canon point & click, hand held, no flash and

for more pictures taken Straight Out Of the Camera on SOOC Sunday click here.

Under the Highway

Yesterday I took a drive to San Pablo Bay, the uppermost portion of the San Francisco Bay. There, wildlife refuges protect the shallow tidal flats and I thought I might get some shorebirds to photograph. Only I didn't take in to account for the tide as everything was flooded and no birds were to be seen. Oh well, lesson learned so I explored around anyway. Above is standing beneath Highway 37. Kind of neat with the sounds of cars and big rig trucks rolling by just feet above your head.

All that traffic roaring by didn't bother this fellow, but as soon as I silently walked by off he flew.

I don't get it.

Hunting is allowed on the refuge (is that an oxymoron?). I guess when the ducks frustrate you enough, take it out on the signs.

As I was going for the reflection of the shotgun pellet ridden sign in the water, I inadvertently captured the reflection of the high power lines overhead which I think is more interesting so I'll link this up to

Click here to see more photos with reflections on James' Weekend Reflections

Somewhere in Montana

The fence I am sure is to keep the horses from wandering off. I hardly think it was to protect the home owner's collection of "classic cars" from being tampered with as there was no one and nothing else around for miles upon miles. I waited for quite awhile for the horse to raise his head from his grazing. Then another horse came into view, but to catch both with their heads up was out of the question. Had the bulldozer bucket not been there, it would make for a better picture. I like the bird poop on the old truck door. I would have got out of the Little House on the Highway to get closer for more pictures and a close-up of the bird poop door but I had visions of some old recluse coming out of the building (his home?) with a double barrel shotgun in hand. Having the flock of birds take off though was a bonus I hadn't realized I caught until preparing this photo for a post on

For more fotos with fences click on Friday's Fences 

The "Antique" Store

I've been through Scipio Utah several times and nothing ever seems to change with this antique store junk shop. It is always as I remembered it.

I really should get the story behind these signs on the side of the building the next time.

Highly collectibles. I wonder if this stuff sits outside year round.

Now these are something of interest and value. There was a price but I've forgotten it.

I really need to take better notes.

But this here was something new and the best of the lot, but unfortunately not for sale.

I didn't not notice the marking on her head at the time but see it now and it sure does not look natural.

So friendly and oh so cute.

Here she is doing a Sinbad, sticking her nose in the lens.

I left her to her duty of watching the door for that brief moment when it opened and she could dart inside.

"Hey Sinbad, would you like a little girl friend?"